Free Closer announced herself as one of California’s promising juvenile fillies with a commanding performance in Sunday’s $100,000 CTBA Stakes at Del Mar, powering clear to record an emphatic victory in the five-and-a-half-furlong feature for two-year-old fillies.
Sent off as the strong 4/5 favourite in the field of six, the homebred daughter of Pavel settled comfortably just behind the early pace before quickening decisively turning for home. Once asked for her effort, she rapidly opened daylight on her rivals and crossed the finish line 8ÂĽ lengths clear in a smart winning time of 1:04.40.
Free Closer CTBA Stakes.
Lovingier, Mihaljevich and partners’ Stay Bossy stayed on to claim second place, finishing a length and three-quarters ahead of Strident Miss, owned by Paula Capestro, who completed the placings.
The Free Closer CTBA Stakes victory earned connections the winner’s share of $57,000 from the race’s $100,000 purse, while further strengthening the filly’s credentials after another polished display on the Southern California circuit.
Making his first appearance aboard the youngster, Juan Hernandez enjoyed a seamless ride as trainer Michael McCarthy prepared the dark bay filly to perfection. Free Closer travelled kindly throughout before producing an impressive burst of acceleration that quickly settled the contest.
The official sectional times were 21.77 seconds, 45.39 seconds, 57.83 seconds, before the final clocking of 1:04.40.
The success marked the second stakes victory of the current Del Mar meeting for both Hernandez and McCarthy. It was McCarthy’s first triumph in the CTBA Stakes and his 21st stakes success at Del Mar, while Hernandez celebrated his first CTBA Stakes victory and his 67th career stakes win at the seaside track.
Free Closer races in the colours of Reddam Racing, with J. Paul Reddam also credited as the winning breeder of the impressive juvenile filly.
Del Mar will now pause for several days before racing resumes on Thursday, with the opening race scheduled for the traditional 2:00 p.m. first post.
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